Apparatus and method for separating ore



1969 T. c. MATHEWS APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING ORE- -Sheet 1 4Sheets Filed 00's. 27, 1967 INVENTOR. 760 C" M/47HEVl 5 A77UE/V5V5 Oct.14, 1969 T. C. MATHEWS APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING ORE Filed001:. 27. 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 760 C. MAW/6W5 Oct. 14, 1969T. C. MATHEWS APPARATUSAND METHOD FOR SEPARATINL: ORE

4 Sheets-Sheet :a

' Filed Oct. 27, 1967 fi 5 Z5 Q 6 5 r m a w w ad w 750 c. MATHEWS A 7TOE/V5145 Oct. 14, 1969 T. C. MATHEWS APPARATUS AND METHOD FORSEPARATING ORE Filed Oct. 27, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. 755 C.MATHEW5 United States Patent 3,472,375 APPARATUS AND METHOD FORSEPARATIN G ORE Ted C. Mathews, P.O. Box 2061, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 416,293, Dec. 7, 1964. Thisapplication Oct. 27, 1967, Ser. No. 678,647

Int. Cl. B07c /34 US. Cl. 209-74 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThere is disclosed herein an apparatus and method wherein desired ore isseparated from a quantity of ore by sensing radiation from the ore andcontrolling fluid streams for eifecting the separation. One or more of aplurality of tubes emitting streams of fluid such as water may bepivoted by an actuator assembly to direct water streams at ore particlesto cause these particles to be separated from the remaining quantity ofundesired ore.

This invention is a continuation-in-part of my US. patent applicationSer. No. 416,293, entitled Separation of Ore Particles PreferentiallyCoated With Liquid Fluo rescent Materia, filed Dec. 7, 1964, now US.Patent No. 3,356,211.

This invention pertains to the separation of desired ore from a quantityof ore. A common condition in many mining operations requires the miningof large quantities of worthless rock, and the like, to enable therecovery of the valuable mineral portion. All of this material usuallyis crushed, ground and treated before extracting the desired mineral.

To reduce the mill load it is desirable to reject at the mine theworthless material. In the instance where a strong visual contrastexists between the mineral and the worthless material, the mineral isoften picked by hand to upgrade the feed for the subsequent cnushing andgrinding operations. Heretofore, it also has been proposed toautomatically separate the mineral from the worthless portion by meanswhich detect the difference in the natural color or radioactivity of themineral and the worthless portion. However, these techniques havelimited utility since at many mines visual or radioactive contrast doesnot exist and, hence, these ores may not be treated economically in thismanner. Additionally, it has been proposed to employ compressed air toprovide an air blast which is controlled by a valve or the like tochange the trajectory of ore for separation purposes. Althoughcompressed air can be used to separate small ore, large compressors andair pipes are required to move large rocks and such equipment isrelatively cumbersome.

In accordance with my above-noted copending application Ser. No.416,293, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference,desired mineral is separated from the worthless quantity by radiatingthe ore to cause a portion of the ore to emit at a characteristicwavelength, and the emitted rays are sensed and used to operate meansfor separating the ore into desired and undesired portions. In anembodiment disclosed in said application, the separation may be achievedby first treating a quantity of the ore with a liquid whichpreferentially coats the particles of one of the portions of the ore andwhich also is capable of emitting at a characteristic wavelength uponexposure to ultraviolet light, X-rays, or other suitable types ofelectromagnetic radiation. The treated ore is then passed to aseparation zone where an electromagnetic wave means sensitive to thecharacteristic wavelength detects which particles are coated and whichparticles are not. The sensing means then functions to actuate adeflecting means which physically removes the coated particles from thebody of ore particles. Thus, a desired or undesired type of mineral maybe removed in this manner from the mass of ore.

In accordance with the concepts of the present invention, there isprovided an apparatus and method for separating desired ore from aquantity of ore by sensing radiation emission. Radiation emitted fromore particles is sensed and employed to operate an actuator assemblyincluding a plurality of electromechanical actuators. These actuatorsare coupled with means supplying a substantially continuous fluid streamto cause the same to be directed at certain ore and thus separate thesame from the mass of ore. The fluid stream is efiective for a timeperiod which is a function of ore size.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present, invention to provide novelapparatus for effecting ore separation.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide apparatuswherein a substantially continuous fluid stream may be controlled foreffecting ore separation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel actuatorassembly.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel method ofeffecting ore separation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method of oreseparation wherein the same is accomplished through control of asubstantially continuous fluid stream.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent upon a consideration of the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of apparatus for effecting ore separationaccording to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial cut-away perspective view of a portion of anactuator assembly and tubes controlled thereby for supplying liquidstreams;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator assembly;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional View of the actuator assembly illustratingthe manner in which a liquid stream tube is raised above a deflectorplate;

FIGURE 5 is a partial plan view of the liquid stream tubes;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid stream tube taken along aline P6 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the manner in which theliquid stream tubes are coupled with a header; and

FIGURES 8 and 9 are respectively an electrical block diagram and anelectrical circuit which may be employed in controlling an actuator ofthe actuator assembly.

Turning now to the dnawings, ore, which is a preferred embodiment, hasbeen treated with a fluorescent material to provide both coated anduncoated particles, is placed on a conveyor 1 and caused to drop fromthe end of the conveyor in a downward Ipath past a radiation source 2,into a zone where the characteristic radiation emitted by the coatedparticles of ore is received in an electromagnetic wave sensing means 3.The wave energy received by the wave sensing means 3 produces a signalwhich is fed into an electrical system 4, the output of which controlsan actuator assembly 5. The actuator assembly 5 operates deflectingmeans '6 which comprises a plurality of 'Inovable tubes providing liquidjets or streams to knock any particles emitting at the characteristicwavelength out of the falling stream of ore particles. The deflectedparticles are received by :a collector 7 which may take the form of aconveyor moving in one direction, and the balance of the particles fallto a collector 8 which may take the form of a conveyor moving in anotherdirection. Preferably the apparatus is covered to prevent externalradiation from reaching the wave sensing means 3.

Turning for the moment to the initial treatment of the ore, a portion ofa body of ore is caused to emit a characteristic wavelength whichwavelength is unlike that emitted by the rest of the ore. The oreparticles are then separated according to whether or not they emit thecharacteristic wavelength. This may be accomplished according to saidcopending application by first treating a quantity of ore containing atleast one valuable mineral portion with a liquid which preferentiallycoats the particles of one of the minerals in the ore. The coatingliquid, in addition to being specific to particles of the minerals inthe ore, is also capable of fiuorescing at a characteristic wavelengthafter exposure to ultraviolet, X-rays, or any other suitable type ofradiation. For example, the coating liquid may be any one of a number ofwell-known long chain hydrocarbons selected to match with the mineralthrough surface chemistry. The source 2 may be a broad spectrum sourcewith a filter to obtain the desired weavelength of radiation. Forexample, the filter may pass a radiation band below 3,600 angstroms, anda filter may be used on the detector 3 to pass radiation in a band above3,800 angstroms to allow the detector to pick up secondary emission fromthe rock caused by radiation from the source. By providing separatewavelength bands in this manner, radiation from the source reaching thedetector, as by reflection from the ore as distinguished from thesecondary emission from the desired ore, will not pass the detectorfilter and cause improper operation of the actuator 5.

While in the preferred form of the invention, a portion of the oreparticles is preferentially coated to provide the characteristicemissions upon exit-ation from the source, the coating may be dispensedwith in the case of natural fiuorescing or other radiation emittingores. These ores, upon exitation, emit at a characteristic wavelengthwhich can be used to activate the separation operation. Ty-pioalmaterials which can be recovered from ore mixtures without coating orother pretreatment are willemite, 'hydrozincite, uraninite, calcite andsheelite. Other ores may be first pretreated to provide the preferentialcoating capable of emitting at a characteristic wavelength upon exposureto one of the many forms of electromagnetic radiation.

Herein, the ore particles which emit at a characteristic Wavelength uponexitation are sometimes referred to as being fluorescent. Likewise, thecoating materials used in many cases to provide this property arereferred to as fluorescent materials. In a narrow sense, fluorescencerefers to the property of absorbing radiation at one particularwavelength and re-emitting it as light of a different wavelength so longas the stimulus is active. However, it is intended herein by the termfluorescence to indicate that property of absorbing radiation at oneparticular Wavelength and re-emitting it at a different wavelength,whether or not visible, during exposure to the active stimulus, or afterexposure, or during both of these time periods. Thus, fluorescence isused generically herein to include the limited definitions of bothfluorescence and phosphoresence, and envisions the emission of acharacteristic wavelength whether or not visible.

As described in said copending application, a wide variety of organicmaterials which fluoresce at a characteristic wavelength upon exitationby ultraviolet light, X-rays, or other radiation may be used topreferentially coat either the desired or undesired portion of the ore.

Turning now more specifically to the detector 3, control system 4,actuator assembly 5 and a deflecting means 6, the detector 3 may employa plurality of photomultipliers :for detecting the characteristicradiation emitted by the radiated particles. It is generally necessarythat the source and detectors be located relatively close to thedeflecting means 6, such as one half inch to several inches between thedetectors and the deflecting means. In order to have a relativelycompact detector 3, the photomu-ltipliers may be arranged in two rowswith fiber optics or Well-known glass fibers used for conveying thecharacteristic radiation to the photomultipliers. For example,thirty-six photomultipliers in two rows of eighteen may be provided withone-eighth inch diameter glass rods extending from the photomultipliersto the exterior of the detector 3. The signals from the photomultipliersare applied to a control system 4 which will be discussed in greaterdetail subsequently. Briefly, the control system 4 includes amplifiers,trigger circuits and drivers to control the operation of electromagneticactuators housed within the actuator assembly 5. The actuators areoperated electrically to deflect a fluid jet tube, for example a tube10, above a deflector plate 11 to allow the fluid to force a desired oreparticle 12 onto the conveyer 7. A typical deflection is threeeighthsinch for the three-eighths inch outside diameter tube. A typical spacingbetween the detector 3 and deflecting means 6 is approximately fourinches to prevent the fluid, for example water, from spraying on thedetector.

Turning now to more detailed discussion of the actuating assembly 5 anddeflecting means 6, the same are illustrated in greater detail inFIGURES 2 through 7. Considering first principally the enlarged showingsthereof in FIGURES 2 and 3, the actuator assembly includes a housing 15in the form of an elongated box. The housing has a plurality ofapertures in the bottom and top thereof for receiving a plurality ofmagnet-armature assemblies, such as assemblies 16 through 19. Theseassemblies are arranged in staggeed rows as best seen in FIGURES 2 and5. Each includes a permanent magnet 20 and a soft iron slug affixed, asby an epoxy cement, to the upper end thereof which serves as anarmature. A cylindrical coil form 23 having a coil 24 thereon ispositioned in an annular air gap 25 which is defined by an upperaperture in the box 15 and the slug 21. The housing 15 serves as a yokefor each of the voice-coil drivers, and when the coil 24 is energizedthe coil form 23 will move up or down. The housing 15 may be made of1010 iron. The slug 21 may be deleted in which case the permanent magnet20 extends from the top to the bottom of the housing 15, but preferablythe soft iron slug 21 is employed. Similarly, a soft iron slug may beused at the bottom of the housing 15 to improve the magnetic couplingwith the housing. An electromagnet rather than a permanent magnet 20also may be employed.

The coil form 23 preferably is machined from polytetrafluoroethylenesuch as that sold under the name Teflon, and preferably includes twolayers of eighty-seven turns each of number thirty wire forming abifilar winding for the coil 24. A rivet 27 is affixed to the upper endof the coil form 23, and a rod 28, such as small diameter music wire, isaifixed to the rivet 27 and extends through a tube guide 29 and iscoupled with a liquid jet or stream tube 30, like the tube 10 in FIGURE1, as best seen in FIGURES 3, 4 and 6. An armature frame '32 and a coverframe 33 are secured to the sides of the housing 15 by any suitablemeans, such as bolts. These frames 32 and 33 extend the length of thetop of the housing 15. The tube 29, as well as the other similar tubes,:are secured to the frames 32 and 33 as by soldering. A rubber bumper 35is secured to the upper end of the slug 21, and a rubber bumper 36 issecured to the underside of the armature frame 32, and these bumpersdetermine the limit of travel of the coil form 23. From the foregoing,it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that when the coil 24 isapproximately energized, the coil form 23 will rise thereby causing theend of the tube 30 to rise above the deflection plate 11 as illustratedin FIGURE 4.

The deflecting means 6 includes a header 40 having a plurality of plugs41 extending through bores therein and soldered thereto as best seen inFIGURE 7. Outlet tubes 42 are coupled with the plugs and solderedthereto. Sections of flexible air hose 43 couple the outlet tubes 42with the tubes 30. A fluid, such as water, is continuously supplied tothe header under pressure, and thus continuous fluid jets or streamseminate from the ends 44 of the tubes 30 and the fluid is deflecteddownwardly by the deflection plate 11 unless a tube is raised by arespective driver. As an example, the tube 30 may be formed fromthree-eighths inch outside diameter tubing with the shortest tube beingapproximately eight inches long and the longest being approximatelythirteen inches long. The rods 28 are afiixed to the tubes 30 atapproximately the midpoint thereof. The deflecting means 6 may, forexample, include thirty-six tubes spaced on one-half inch centers withthe width of the deflecting means 6 from the first to the last tubebeing approximately eighteen inches. With the foregoing arrangement andapproximately a sixty pound water head and one hundred feet per secondWater velocity, ore particles from approximately one-half inch to eightinches in size may be effectively handled. It is sometimes desirable tospace the tubes 30 several inches, e. g., four inches, from the detector3 to prevent splash on the detector. If this is done, the transit timeof ore from the detector to the tubes 30 is increased, but the tubes 30can be moved back from the vertical fall line of the ore such that thefluid streams must travel a longer distance to reach the ore. Thus, thespacing between the detector and tubes 30 as well as the position of thetubes with respect to the fall line may be adjusted as desired toprovide the necessary time delay.

With one-half inch ore, approximately three milliseconds elapse as theore passes a point and therefore the system should react within thistime, i.e., a tube 30 be raised within this time. Accordingly, a highinitiating current, for example eight amperes for one to one and onehalfmilliseconds, is employed to raise a tube 30, and once raised thecurrent may be reduced to a holding current of, for example, threehundred milliamps. The electrical power requirements are based upon themass of the tube '30, the fluid employer, and the height of the rise ofthe tube required to allow the fluidstream to flow past the deflector11. Typical solenoid arrangements take approximately fiften millisecondsto operate and thus are relatively slow as compared to the presentsystem. Smaller ore, such as one-fourth inch ore, requires a reactiontime of approximately one and one-half milliseconds. With such ore thepreferred fluid is air, and the mechanical system should be lighter andmore compact.

The electrical control system 4 includes a plurality of the circuitsillustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9. This system responds to signals fromphotomultipliers within the detector 3 to operate the respective driverswithin the actuator assembly 5. Basically, this system includes for eachcoil 24 a conventional impedance matching amplifier (not: shown)coupling a photomultiplier to a digital control circuit such as shown inFIGURE 8 which in turn controls respective semiconductor coil driverssuch as illustrated in FIGURE 9. When an ore particle emitting thecharacteristic radiation passes the detector 3, a photomultipliertherein provides a signal to the system 4. This signal then is amplifiedand applied to the digital control circuit of FIGURE 8. This signalapplied to the control circuit is in the form of a pulse 60 whichinitiates four signals which are, (*1) a high drive-up current, (2) alow hold-up current, (=3) a high drive-down current, and (4) a lowhold-down current. Inasmuch as there is a finite driveup time, such asthree to three and one-half milliseconds the distance between thedetector 3 and the deflecting means 6 is selected to compensate for thefinite time such that when a desired ore particle reaches the end of atube 30 the tube has been raised to allow the fluid stream therefrom todeflect this particle. The pulse width of the pulse 60 is proportionalto the size of the particle and thus is short for small particles andlong for large particles thereby enabling the fluid jet operating timeto be variable depending on rock size.

The pulse 60 is almost a square wave but is applied to a Schmidt trigger61 to standardize the pulse. The output of the trigger 61 is appliedthrough an inverter 62 to the input of a differentiating emitterfollower 63 and to an or gate 64. The positive-going leading edge of thepulse applied to the emitter follower 63 causes this circuit to providean output spike pulse on an output line 65. This pulse may be termed adrive-up pulse which, as will be explained subsequently in connectionwith a description of 'FIGURE 9, causes a semiconductor gate to apply ahigh drive-up current to the coil '24. An output of the emitter follower63 is applied through a line 66 and a single shot 67 to anotherdilferentiating emitter follower 68 the same as the emitter follower 63.The positivegoing trailing edge of the pulse applied from the singleshot 67 causes an output from the emitter follower 68 on a line 69, andthis pulse occurs after the pulse on the line 65 and is termed a hold-uppulse. The time difference is determined by the time delay of the singleshot 67 and this delay typically may be one to one and onehalfmilliseconds. The arrangement described thus far enables a high drive-upcurrent to be app-lied to the coil 24 to raise a tube 30, and then thiscurrent is reduced to a level which is sufficient to maintain the tubein its raised position.

An output of the emitter follower 68 is applied through another singleshot 72 to the or gate 64, and an inverted pulse output is appliedthrough a line 73 from the single shot 67 to the or gate 64. The outputof the gate 64 is applied to a third differentiating emitter follower 74which provides a spike pulse determined by the trailing edge of theinput pulse 60, and this pulse on a line 75 is termed a drive-downpulse. An output from the emitter follower 74 is coupled through anothersingle shot 76 which in turn is coupled to a fourth differentiatingemitter follower 77. This latter emitter follower 77 provides an outputhold-down pulse on an output line 78.

The output lines from the emitter followers 63, 68, 74 and 77 in FIGURE8 are coupled to the input of a coil driving circuit such as thatillustrated in FIGURE 9. This circuit essentially responds to theoutputs of the emitter followers to supply the necessary drive and holdcurrents to the coil 24. The coil 24 is a bifil'ar winding illustratedas 24a and 24b in FIGURE 9. The pulses from the emitter followerscontrol silicon controlled rectifier gates 80 through 83. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that other types of gating devices,such as transistor gates, may be employed. The pulse on the drive-upline 65 turns on the gate 80 thereby causing a large current to flowthrough coil winding 24a and an inductance 84 while a capacitor 85charges. When the hold-up pulse on line 69 occurs, the gate 81 turns onand the resulting charge on the capacitor 85 blocks the gate 80 for asufficient time period to turn the gate 80 off. Hold-up current thenflows through the gate 81, and resistance 86, the inductance 84 and thewinding 24a. Upon the occurrence of the drive-down pulse on the line 75,the gate 82 turns turns on and a capacitor 87 reverses the voltageapplied to the gate 81 thereby turning the gate 81 off. The secondwinding 24b of the coil 24 is then driven with a high current in amanner similar to the Winding 24a to drive down the coil form 23 andassociated tube 30. When the hold-down pulse occurs on the line 78, thegate 83 turns on and the charge on a capacitor 88 blocks the gate =82thereby turning it off, and a hold-down current flows through the gate83, resistance 89, inductance 90 and winding 24b. When the gate 80 isagain turned on by the drive-up pulse on the line 65, the capacitor 87reverses the voltage on the gate 83 to turn the same oh, and a drive-upcurrent is applied to the winding 24a in the same manner describedabove.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for separating first and second types of ore particleswherein the first type of ore particles emits radiation of acharacteristic wavelength comprising detecting means for detecting theradiation emitted by said first type of ore particles for providinginitiating signals,

control means responsive to said initiating signals for providing gatingsignals, and

actuating means responsive to said gating signals for changing thedirection of one or more flowing liquid streams to cause each suchstream to impinge upon ore particles of said first type from whichradiation was received by said detecting means to cause said last namedore particles to be separated from said second type of ore particles.

2. Apparatus for separating first and second types of ore particleswherein the first type of ore particles emits radiation of acharacteristic wavelength comprising controlling one or more liquidstreams to impinge upon ore particles of said first type from whichradiation was received by said detecting means to cause said last namedore particles to be separated 6. Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein saidmagnetic circuit means includes an elongated bousing forming a yoke,said housing having a plurality of apertures therein, a plurality ofmagnet-armature assemblies mounted in staggered rows in said housingwith the armature assemblies extending into the ape-rtures of saidhousing whereby said armature assemblies and housing form a plurality ofair-gaps, and

said movable coil means includes a plurality of coil membersrespectively arranged in said air-gaps for detecting means for detectingthe radiation emitted by 10 movement up or down in response to signalsapplied said first type of ore particles for providing initiating tosaid coil members. signals, 7. Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein controlmeans responsive to said initiating signals for said coil members arerespectively coupled with said providing gating signals, and fluidstream tubes for moving the same to said second actuating meansresponsive to said gating signals for position.

controlling one or more liquid streams to impinge 8. An actuatingassembly comprising upon ore particles of said first type from whichradimagnetic circuit means including an elongated housing ation wasreceived by said detecting means to cause forming a yoke, said housinghaving a plurality of said last named ore particles to be separated fromapertures therein, a plurality of magnet armature assaid second type ofore particles, said actuating means semblies mounted in staggered rowsin said housing comprises a plurality of driving means coupled with withthe armature assemblies extending into the aperliquid stream tubes, andsaid control means causes tures of said housing whereby said armatureassemone of said driving means to move one of said tubes blies andhousing form a plurality of air-gaps, and for each respective particleof said first type from movable coil means including a plurality of coilmemwhich radiation is received by said detecting means. 'bersrespectively arranged in said airag f move. 3. Apparatus for separatingfirst and second types of ment up or down in response to electricalsignals ore particles wherein the first type of ore particles emitsapplied to said oil member raidation of a characteristic wavelengthcomprising 9, An actuating assembly as in claim 8 including detectingmeans for detecting the radiation emitted y a plurality of movable fluidstream tubes which in one said first type of ore particles for providinginitiating position supply fluid which is deflected by a deflectingsignals, means and which in a second position supply a fluid controlmeans responsive to said initiating signals for stream past saiddeflecting means, and

providing gating signals, and means coupling said coil membersrespectively to said actuating means responsive to said gating signalsfor fluid stream tubes .for moving the same to said second position. 10.A method for altering the trajectory of ore particles of a first typefor separating said ore particles from ore particles of a second typecomprising from Said Second p of Ore Particles, Said actuating providinga plurality of substantially continuous fluid me n in a housing formingy and a p streams and deflecting the same to prevent impingerality ofmagnet assemblies mounted therein and ment thereof on said ore particlesof said first and a plurality of coil means cooperating with saidmagsecond types net assemblies, said coil means being coupled Withsensing a characteristic of said ore particles of said first respectiveliquid stream tubes :for deflecting said ty nd liquid streams inresponse to signals from Said c ndeflecting a respective fluid stream inresponse to detecttrol means. 4. Apparatus for separating first andsecond types of ing said characteristic of an ore particle to deflectthe trajectory of the ore particle whose characteristic has beendetected.

ore particles wherein the first type of ore particles emits radiation ofa characteristic wavelength comprising detecting means for detecting theradiation emitted by said first type of ore particles for providinginitiating 11. A. method for altering the trajectory of ore particles ofa first type for separating said ore particles from ore particles of asecond type comprising signals, control means responsive to saidinitiating signals for providing up signals and down signals,

providing a plurality of substantially continuous fluid streams anddeflecting the same to prevent impingement thereof on said ore particlesof said. first and a plurality of movable fluid stream tubes which inone d types Position pp y fluid which deflficted y a deflecting sensinga characteristic of said ore particles of said means and which in asecond position supply a fluid fi type, d stream for impinging upon saidfirst type of ore deflecting a respective fluid stream 'for a period oftime particles, and proportional to the size of the ore particle whosecharacteristic has been detected to deflect the traactuating meansresponsive to said up and down signals for deflecting one or more ofsaid tubes from its first to its second position, said actuating meansincluding magnetic circuit means and movable coil means, said movablecoil means being respectively jectory of the same. 12. A method foraltering the trajectory of ore particles of a first type for separatingsaid ore particles from ore particles of a second type comprisingcoupled with said tubes and movable up or do in providing a plurality ofsubstantially continuous fluid response to said respective up and downsignals. Streams and deflecting the to preveilt lmpmge' ment thereof onsaid ore particles of said first and 5. Apparauts as in claim 4 whereinSecond types Slald g clrcult means Includes a ,housmg and sensing acharacteristic of said ore particles of said first plurality ofmagnet-armature assemblies arranged in type and V fist'aggeredrejlaflonshlpfand mounted in said hous deflecting a number of fluidstreams in response to g: a pl r l y l means respectively detecting saidcharacteristic of an ore particle to de- Ilfitwally P $8161magnfibamlatufe f fleet the trajectory of the same, said number of fluidand means coupling said coil means with respectwc streams beingproportional to the size of said ore tubes. 7 5 particle.

1.3. Apparatus for separating first and second solid articles whereinthe first type of article has a particular characteristic, comprisingdetecting means for detecting said characteristic of said first typearticle for providing initiating signals, control means responsive tosaid initiating signals for providing control signals, a plurality ofmovable fluid stream tubes which in one position supply fluid which isdeflected by a deflecting means and which in a second position supply afluid stream for impinging upon said first type article, and

actuating means responsive to said control signals for deflecting one ormore of said tubes from its first to its second position, said actuatingmeans including magnetic circuit mean-s and movable coil means, saidmovable coil means being respectively coupled with said tubes andmovable in a first or 'a second direction in response to said controlsignals.

14. Apparatus for separating first and second solid articles wherein thefirst type article has a particular characteristic, comprising detectingmeans for detecting said characteristic of said first type article andproviding initiating signals, control means responsive to saidinitiating signals for providing control signals,

a plurality of movable fluid stream tubes which in one position supplyfluid which is deflected by a deflecting means and which in a secondposition supply a fluid stream for impinging upon said first typearticle,

a manifold coupled with said fluid stream tubes for supplying fluid tosaid tubes, said tubes being flexibly coupled with said manifold formovement up or down of an end of said tubes remote from said manifoldbysaid actuating means, said deflecting means being a deflection platemounted near said ends of said tubes for normally deflecting said fluidfor preventing impingement thereof on said articles, and

actuating means responsive to said control signals for deflecting one ormore of said tubes from its first to its second posit-ion, saidactuating means including magnet circuit means and movable coil means,said movable coil means being respectively coupled with said tu-besintermediate the ends of said tubes to selectively move said ends ofsaid tubes remote from said manifold away from said deflection plate inresponse to said control signals to allow fluid streams to impinge uponsaid first type of article.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,075,641 1/1963 Hutter et al.20974 ALLEN N. KNOWLES, Primary Examiner

